LOGINGianna stepped forward and placed her hand on Nolan's arm."Stop," she said quietly. Her voice was calm and steady, cutting through his rage like a knife through silk. "I was just taking a walk. I needed fresh air. That's all."Nolan's chest heaved with anger but he didn't pull away from her touch."You can't keep disappearing," he said, his voice still sharp but losing some of its edge. "Every time you vanish, I think—" He stopped, unable to finish the sentence."I'm fine," Gianna said. She looked at Elmund, whose face was still pale with fear. "And you need to stop asking Elmund to follow me around. Nobody is going to kidnap me again. I'm safe here. He's safe here."Nolan sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging as the anger drained out of him. He ran a hand through his hair and looked away from both of them."Just stop sneaking around," he said finally. His voice was exhausted now, defeated. "Nothing fazes me more than your disappearance. Nothing."Elmund bowed quickly and retreated f
Nighttime descended on the palace like a heavy cloak.Nolan stood from the chair where he had been sitting quietly with Gianna. His movements were tense, purposeful. He was preparing to leave for the meeting with the healer.Gianna grabbed his wrist before he could move toward the door."You haven't eaten," she said, her fingers tightening around his arm.He tried to pull away gently. His muscles flexed beneath her grip but she held firm, refusing to let him go."I'm not hungry," Nolan said, but his voice sounded hollow."You need food," Gianna insisted. "You can't go to meet the healer on an empty stomach. It won't take long."Nolan looked down at her hand on his wrist. For a moment, something flickered across his face. Some emotion he couldn't quite hide. Then he nodded and settled back into the chair.Within moments, servants arrived carrying trays. Roasted meat that was still steaming. Warm bread that had just come from the ovens. A bowl of soup with herbs floating on its surface.
Alexander stayed in the chambers with Gianna for a long time, talking about everything and nothing. He held her hand while she told him about her recovery. He asked her questions about Nolan and the palace and how she was being treated.Then he said he had some duties to conclude and needed to leave."I'm just glad you're fine," he said, kissing her forehead. "You gave us quite a scare."But before he left, he asked her something that made her go very still."While you were unconscious, the healers couldn't find anything physically wrong with you," he said carefully. "I didn't know of any sickness while you were growing up. Why would you suddenly slump all of a sudden and lose consciousness like that? What really happened to you?"Gianna's heart began to race. She couldn't tell him the truth. How could she explain that her husband was slowly dying from a curse? How could she tell him that she had given so much blood to Nolan that she had nearly died? How could she explain any of this
Nolan felt the words hit him like a physical blow.His wife was dead. She had died during those three weeks. Something had brought her back but she had been dead."I don't understand," he said, his voice sounding strange and far away even to his own ears. "What are you talking about?"The healer's expression was grave and serious."There is a bird," she said quietly, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. "A bird that only appears when one of the Lycan kings is close to death. It's a sign that has been documented for centuries. Our ancestors wrote about it. Healers have seen it throughout history."Nolan's mind felt like it was moving through fog."I've heard about it," he said slowly. "My father told me about it when I was young. But why are you telling me this now?"The healer took a step closer, her voice dropping even lower."I saw it last night," she whispered. "The bird came to the palace last night. That means your death is close, Your Majesty. Very close."The
Before the council meeting started, Nolan called one of the guards to his side."Send word to Alexander at Valemont," he said quietly. "Tell him his daughter is awake. Tell him she's fine and recovering well. Tell him she's asking about him."The guard bowed and left immediately.Nolan had almost passed out when he learned that Gianna had been in a coma. For three weeks, he had sat by her bedside watching her breathe, terrified that every breath might be her last. When she finally opened her eyes, it felt like the moon goddess herself had answered his prayers.The council chamber was crowded when he entered. Men in expensive clothing sat around the long table, their faces serious and their posture formal. Reports needed to be discussed. Decisions needed to be made. The kingdom didn't stop just because the Luna had been ill.Nolan took his seat at the head of the table and was about to call the meeting to order when he noticed them.Cyrus sat among the council members like he had never
Nolan held her for a long moment before he pulled away."I have an urgent meeting with the council," he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "It could take hours. Elmund will be by the door in case you need anything.""That's not necessary," Gianna said quickly. "I'll be fine alone."But Nolan was already shaking his head, his expression firm."I insist," he said. "You're still recovering. If you need anything at all, I want someone there to help you."Gianna wanted to argue further but she could see the determination in his eyes. She gave up and simply nodded.He kissed her forehead and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.The moment he was gone, Gianna moved. She crossed to the shelf where she had hidden the necklace and pulled it from between the pages of the book. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the pearls in her palm.She tried to reach out to Iris the way she had been taught. She held the pearl necklace close to her heart and called out silently
Chapter SixThe table was silent.Every Alpha, every Beta, every carefully dressed wolf in that banquet hall was looking at their plate, their glass, the middle distance – anywhere except at Cyrus, or at Gianna, or at the head of the table where Nolan sat with his hand resting flat on the cloth an
Nolan's hand closed around her wrist and their eyes met. Gianna went completely still. She could see the blazing anger in her eyes but under it, something else flickered there. Recognition? Confusion? She couldn't name. The moment of silence stretched between them, taut as a wire. Then footste
Gianna moved through the corridor on silent feet. The temple's restricted section was darker and narrower than the main hall. Nolan was twenty paces ahead. His hood was still up. He walked quickly despite the unsteadiness she'd noticed earlier. She kept to the shadows, pressing herself agains
Gianna found Evelyn in the hallway."I need you to send this," she said, holding out the sealed letter. "Find a courier. Make sure it gets to my father in Highmoon."Evelyn took the letter carefully. "Of course, Luna. Right away."Gianna nodded and headed to her bathroom.She filled the tub and san







